Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera bids farewell to the nation

The final rites of the Ven. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera of the Bellanwila Raja Maha Vihare was conducted this evening. The funeral took place at the Sports Grounds of the Sri Jayawardenepura University.
The remains of the prelate that were lying at the Bellanwila Raja Maha Vihare were taken out of the Dhamma Hall amidst tributes offered by members of the Maha Sangha. The remains were placed in the Ransivige after being accepted by the Dayaka Sabha and relatives.
The funeral procession which commenced from the Bellanwila Raja Maha Vihare reached the Boralesgamuwa Junction after arriving along the Dehiwala Maharagama route and thereafter reached the Sri Jayawardenepura University grounds from the Rattanapitiya Junction.
Our reporters said that a large gathering including members of the Maha Sangha and members of the Dayaka Sabha joined in the funeral procession. Large crowds gathered on either side of the funeral procession route to offer their final tributes to the Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera.
After the arrival of the remains of the prelate at the University Grounds, flowers were sprung from the air.
The welcome address was delivered by Chief Incumbent of the Bellanwila Raja Maha Vihare the Ven. Dr. Bellanwila Dhammarathana Thera. Religious rites were performed by the Most Ven. Dr. Ittepane Dhammalankara Tera.
In his anusasana, the Ven. Prof. Kotapitiye Rahula Thera pointed out that the late Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera was honoured and respected not only in Sri Lanka but also in the World Sangha Council. Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith referred to the outstanding features witnessed in the late prelate.